Bruguier's Cabin
In 1933, an abandoned house was about to be demolished by the Wall Street Mission so that the lumber could be used in a boy's camp. As workers removed the siding from the house, they discovered that the house was originally a log cabin. Reverend John P. Hantla was in charge of the project. After doing some research, he determined that the house was one of the log cabins of the Theophile Bruguier farm. The cabin was given to the City of Sioux City as an historic structure, and today it is considered to be the oldest structure in Sioux City.
Central High School
The High School, as it was originally called, opened in the spring of 1893. It was renamed Central High School in 1924 when other high schools were opened. The school reflected the flamboyant attitude of the boom years. Built at a cost $104,460, the building had many modern conveniences not seen in other buildings of its time including thermostatically controlled heating and electric bells.
First Brides Grave
Tucked in a pocket of South Ravine Park, a series of steps leads up into the
woods. At the end of the trail is the First Bride's Grave.
Sergeant Floyd Monument
Sergeant
Charles Floyd is best known as the only member of the crew to die during the
Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the first United States soldier to die west of
the Mississippi. Floyd was born in Kentucky around 1782. In 1803, he joined the
Corps of Discovery, the military expedition that would explore the Louisiana
Territory.
The night of August 19th 1804, as the explorers reached the area just south of
Sioux City, Floyd became seriously ill with "bilous cholic". Although expedition
leaders did everything they could to help the young soldier, Floyd became
weaker. At the last, he told Captain Clark, I'm going away and I want you to
write me a letter. He died sometime after 2:00 in the afternoon on Monday,
August 20, 1804.
Historic Fourth Street
Historic Fourth Street contains the many examples of commercial buildings in the
1880's in Sioux City. Names like the Bay State, Plymouth, and Major link these
blocks to their Massachusetts investors. Most of the larger buildings in the
district are notable for their distinctive Richardsonian Romanesque style, an
architectural style popular in the late 1800s.
The Peirce Mansion
The
Peirce Mansion was built by John Peirce as a family home in 1890 for $80,000.
The Pierce family lived in the house from 1891 to 1893 when John Peirce lost his
fortune in the national depression.
Prospect Hill
On Prospect Hill is a monument erected in memory of three pioneer missionaries. These men, Reverends Jackson, Cleveland and Elliot, were on their way to the west to teach Christianity. All of the members of the Sioux City settlement were asked to attend a prayer meeting on this hill. The monument was built later to commemorate this event.
Sgt. Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center
The Sergeant Floyd was named for Sergeant Charles Floyd, the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die on trek to the Pacific Northwest. It was a working boat used for towing, surveying and inspection work on inland waterways.
Riverside Park Area
The Riverside Park area changed hands many times in the early years of the city. Theophile Bruguier owned the area for over twenty years before selling it around 1880. It was finally purchased in 1890 by the Riverside Park Land Company. Owners included: James Booge, John Hornick, John Peirce, E. C. Peters, and James Peavey. The intent of the company was to develop the land for houses, factories, and railway branch lines. Since many of these men also owned the City and Suburban Railway Company, the prospects for success seemed certain.
South Bottoms Memorial
The South Bottoms Memorial was created in 1997 to honor the pioneers, immigrants and families who made the South Bottoms area of Sioux City their home. This area of the Floyd River Valley was bounded on the north by Third Street and on the south by the Missouri River. The east edge was the Floyd River and the west edge neared Nebraska Street.
War Eagle
Wambdi
Okicize is commonly known as War Eagle. He was born in either Wisconsin or
Minnesota around 1785. His Indian name means "Little Eagle" but whites always
referred to him as War Eagle. This is odd because all through his life War Eagle
sought to keep peace. He even left his home tribe the Isanti (sometimes referred
to as Santee) to avoid a battle as to who was to become chief.
Grandview Park & The Band Shell
In 1906, an independent park commission headed by Edwin C. Peters purchased thirty acres of pastureland on the city's north side. Peters later recalled. When the commission was appointed, there was no park sentiment in Sioux City. After a prolonged fight, we got a 2 mill levy for park purposes, and that levy raised $16,000. The commission decided that the north side of town, since it had no park, would be the park commission's first undertaking.
